School: Education

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Diversity and Specific Learning Needs
  • Unit Code

    EDU3340
  • Year

    2025
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr David RHODES

Description

The main focus of this unit is on creating inclusive learning environments for learners with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in primary and secondary settings. The aim is to develop students’ knowledge of the educational and developmental needs of learners with intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional and/or behavioural disabilities, learning difficulties, those who are gifted or talented and those who are potentially marginalised. Relevant national and state policies and legislation in the area of disability will be examined in relation to the learning context. Through a combination of community service, interaction with individuals who have diverse learning abilities and the investigation of particular learning problems, students will be encouraged to reflect on learning practices and to develop strategies to engage children with SEN in inclusive environments.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Communicate knowledge and understanding of current research and evidence-based practices that promote the learning and development of children with Special Educational Needs.
  2. Develop and apply effective instructional methods (including the use of technologies and other available resources), to enhance classroom content and make curriculum accessible to all students.
  3. Differentiate the curriculum and learning environment to cater for children and adolescents with Special Educational Needs.
  4. Reflect on how practical experiences with people who have diverse abilities can inform teaching.

Unit Content

  1. Current theory, policy and research on diversity and inclusivity.
  2. Characteristics and needs of students with intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional and/or behavioural disabilities, students with learning difficulties, and those who may be gifted or talented.
  3. Processes for identification, assessment and support of children with Special Educational Needs.
  4. Generic and specialised approaches to curriculum delivery that caters for the diverse abilities of children with Special Educational Needs.
  5. Collaborative approaches with parents, school support staff and health professionals to produce individualised approaches that enhance the inclusion of students with diverse abilities.
  6. Relevant Australian curriculum documents.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssignment 150%
AssignmentEssay50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssignment 150%
AssignmentEssay50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

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